Animal control continues behaving badly

News and headlines for October 28 - November 3, 2023

A New York animal control officer was arrested for stealing Hope, a family’s 9-year-old dog. After Hope was found by a neighbor and taken to the local shelter, the officer sold her to people in Ohio. When Hope’s real family came forward, the officer told them that she had died. Hope is now back with her family. While animal control insiders want to pretend that the officer is a rare bad apple, the tragic fact is that uncaring and corruption are endemic to the industry. And though the facts of this case may be somewhat unique, uncaring and corruption aren’t.

These are some of the stories making headlines in animal protection:

The same day rescuers expressed interest in Bowie, Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control — which labeled him “behavior” and “unadoptable” — killed him. Instead of a new beginning, the little 10-pound terrier who should have had his whole life ahead of him, who never tried to bite, who posed no threat to anyone, was injected with an overdose of poison and turned to ash. He was barely 15 weeks old.

As previously reported, in a lawsuit by rescuers against the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control, the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that California shelters cannot kill dogs rescue groups are willing to save “based upon its determination that the animal has a behavioral problem or is not adoptable or treatable.”

But now, Los Angeles County has petitioned the California Supreme Court for review. It is asking the state’s highest court to overturn that ruling by fear-mongering that unless it does so, dangerous dogs will “threaten [the] life, health, and safety of humans and fellow animals.”

It is a lie, as dangerous dogs are already exempt from rescue. If the Court grants the Petition, more dogs like Bowie will die.

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A growing number of companies have recalled salmonella-tainted dog food:

• Mid America Pet Food recalled several lots of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal, and Brown Rice Formula.

• Darwin’s recalled several of its Natural Selections brand of chicken recipes for dogs and cats.

• TFP Nutrition recalled Retriever All Life Stages Mini Chunk Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food.

• Blue Ridge Beef recalled Breeders Choice 2-pound raw dog food.

The FDA warned those who have been exposed to salmonella to monitor themselves for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Like humans, animals can develop a salmonella infection. The FDA said symptoms in pets infected with salmonella include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting.